computer recording-what to get?

matt99camero

matt99camero

New member
I'm looking at getting something to record to my computer. $350 is the most money I can spend on the recorder. The most recording I have done is to a 4 track tape recorder so I just want something small to mess around with this comp. recording stuff. Something so that I can post clips like in here and maybe record some vocal stuff of mine and burn it to a cd through my computer. I don't need it for a full band, just vocals and guitar. I have been looking at several of them.

Fostex MR-8

Tascam US428

Korg PXR4

Zoom MRS8

I like the looks of the Zoom. I'm going to get a Shure SM57 and SM58 along with whatever I get. But will I need to buy anything like guitar tracks pro or cakewalk along with this? And will I just be able to plug this into my USB to transfer the recording or do I need one of those cards with the outputs on it for my comp.? What about the PODs or guitar ports? Any help is very appriciated.
 
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Re: computer recording-what to get?

I have the Tascam US428. It works great for me - running on Win98SE

However, I'm aware that people haven't had it running so easily on later versions of Windows have had trouble with the USB drivers, so check this out (I think you can track down this kinda stuff on www.tascamforums.com).
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

I am wondering about mic'd amp -> computer recording as well. I'm considering grabbing an SM57, and I already have an M-Audio Delta 66 card in my PC... what needs to go between the two? Mic pre? Digital or "#"-track recorder? Before I was just running directly from my POD to the Delta card, but since I no longer have the POD I'm not sure what I'll need to do...
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

Hmm, that would render my Delta 66 and its breakout box pretty much obsolete haha. This might turn out to be more complicated than I thought...
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

Oh yeah, sorry, missed that. What inputs do you have? You can get some mic preamps pretty cheap anyway. That could be a good option.

Maybe a little preamp/compressor would be good.
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

I guess you could just run with a small mixer, or a preamp/compressor then. SM57s don't need phantom power preamps so you don't need to have a lot in between the two. Having a mixer or preamp would just allow you to control the levels you're putting into the soundcard easily.
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

Cool, thanks man. I'll shop around. Sorry to hijack the thread...
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

Now what about me, any other suggestions?

Jonny I took a look at that line/in line/out box. I could probably ues that but then I'd have other parts to buy seperate. I guess the recorders I was looking at seemed like a nice little package with everything you would need. Since I will be brand new to this it just seemed easier to have everything in one box rather than several different parts that I have to get to work with each other.
 
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Re: computer recording-what to get?

I went with the MobilePre USB from M-Audio into my Mac. Ran me $150 or so. For guitars I use a Behringer V-Amp Pro and am very satisfied with the results. I used GarageBand to record my bands demo and I'm very satisfied with the results.

Next time around I'll probably use logic. Once I got to about a dozen tracks I really hit the wall with the software.

Cool thing about the MobilePre USB.....it's portable. Drum tracks got done in the rehearsal space, guitars got done in my house and the vocals and harmonica got done in a borrwed isolation booth from a buddys place of work.
 
Re: computer recording-what to get?

Soundcard wise i would say Delta 44 or 66 would work great. I know the 66 has the better breakout box with extra ins/out. I use an M-audio Audiophile 2496 wich is basically the same as the above but cheaper becaue it has no break/out box and has rca's instead of 1/4" ins/ous but has extra midi/digital hookups. You need a mixer of some sort to act as an inbetween. Trust me on this one, I used to try and record vocals and guitars without one and they sounded really crappy. I use a Yamaha MG10/2 wich is just a basic 4 chanel mixer and it rocks for the price.
Solid, built sturdy, sounds nice clean and you could probably get one for around 100-120 range. You could buy a Delta 44 and mixer for $225-250 and record music at 24 bit 96k. Thats same level as DVD. Music CD's are only 16-bit! You can get pretty close to pro sounding with the right sequencer/plugins/knowledge and that soundcard if your looking to make a demo or something.
J :smoker:
 
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Re: computer recording-what to get?

Hmmm, now I'm all confused with all 44 this and 66 that. I appriciate the help but maybe I need to reclairify my question, I sometimes have a hard time describing what I'm trying to ask.

1. For my situation, would one of the recorders I listed work for me? If yes see #2, if no see #3.

2. Then which one of the recorders would you suggest? I don't know what is good to look for in these type of recorders. Do I need some kind of software to that dosen't come with it or will it have everything I need? Do I actually have to have it pluged into my computer when I play or can I just record it and then hook it up to my computer to transfer it?

3. Then what would you suggest and what components would I need with it.

Not knowing anything about these and just reading the descriptions it seems like the recorders I listed have everything I need and would be easier to use than getting a bunch of different stuff. I guess I just want to plug my guitar in, tweek some settings and play. I don't know, something about having to plug this into that, and that into this, and that into this scares me.

Edit: one thing I thought just thought of, I have a computer here at college but not at home. I'm so busy at school I don't have much time for recording or writing so I mostly do my stuff on the weekends but I always go home for the weekends and holidays. So basically I need something I can record to anywhere then come back and transfer them to my computer. I have no freakin idea? :?: :smack:
 
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